The Spain international is now unlikely to be involved in Tito Vilanova's side's game against Granada on Saturday after being struck down by a renal colic infection.

He was hospitalised on Monday afternoon and will undergo treatment to sort the kidney stone problem.

The Camp Nou club have stated that it is unlikely he will be ready to play in their Liga clash this weekend, though the 31-year-old was unlikely to start having struggled for first team outings so far this season.

Villa has scored five goals in 15 appearances, but has not scored in the Champions League this campaign, with the Blaugrana set to face AC Milan on February 20.

It is not yet clear how long the Spain striker will be absent for, in what is an untimely blow for the player after he scored in the 6-1 win over Granada on Sunday.